In these days of uncertain retailing it’s difficult to plan for the future. The old 5-year plan is out the window and for some shops, it’s more about short term survival. At Thomas Turner, we have been contacting tackle shops in the UK and Europe looking to buy surplus quality tackle. This Hardy ex-display collection from Europe […]
03
Jul
Jul
The Thomas Turner European advertising campaign is clearly working. We were contacted by a tackle shop in the northern French/Spanish region. They were changing their business retail plan. They’d been Hardy and Rapala agents for many years so we were delighted to be able to buy the entire fishing stock. They specialised in fly fishing, […]
23
Jun
Jun
As the word spreads Thomas Turner continues to be THE ONE to buy and sell with worldwide. We are constantly offered collections of rare and fine vintage fishing tackle. This one is a cracker! If we play the game of spot the rare one, you’re possibly going to struggle, or perhaps not. The 9” Ex […]
12
Jun
Jun
Like a Tudor watch, would you always be explaining it’s made in the same factory as Rolex? Well, not really because in the 70s Hardy recognised the demand for self-build rods. I know this coz I built one, badly! Jim (James Leighton Hardy) was instrumental in setting up the Fibatube factory in Willoburn, Alnwick. This move […]
10
Jun
Jun
This is a rarely seen Thomas Cemm Maker, Vancouver BC Canada bright finish alloy fly reel. Clearly influenced by the Hardy St John, it’s similar in most aspects of the design if not a little heavier. Cemm was prolific in the 1940-50s along with a handful of other Canadian makers, most of whom had the […]
09
Jun
Jun
This attractive canvas-covered wood rod former or protector just came into stock. Measuring 41” long, the inner wooden D-shaped former is drilled to take the rod sections. A leather cap with brass buckle holds the brass rod butt spear in a little hinged flap pocket as part of the removable cap. Two nickel oval plates […]
08
Jun
Jun
In with 3 large collections we safely bought this week is a selection of 1980-90’s classic match rods. The naughty nineties inflicted many fashion disasters upon us. Not so for the carbon match rods of the same era with many achieving cult status. The Normark Titan 2000, Drennan Tench & Waggler rods, Daiwa Porky Pig, Shakespeare Boron Mach 2, […]
05
Jun
Jun
Always popular, this Hardy little gadget is easily missed at the bottom of a tackle box or bag. The Joint Lubricator and Container was an entirely new idea in the 1930’s. Measuring 1-3/4” tall the outer casing is stamped”Hardy Bros. Makers Alnwick”. It was produced in both brass and nickel materials. Pull off the top […]
04
Jun
Jun
This lovely little rare rod came into us this week. The Hardy Jet Midge 6’3” had a very short production run, appearing in the 1974 catalogue in text only, no images. It disappeared along with the other Jet rods from the catalogues in 1975 to become the Fibalite series. I’m sure many of the Jet […]
02
Jun
Jun
It’s been one of these weeks when you never know what comes through the post. My Pick of the Week is a Kelly of Dublin brass spike winch and matching named Kelly wood handle fishing rod. I never had the opportunity to own a named matched pair when collecting. Kelly, based in Sackville Street Dublin […]